Equipment Update

Since I am attending events with more frequency these days, I have tried to pay attention to the changes in armor and weapons that have happened over the last couple years. Comparing my now several years old fighting kit to the current standard, I find that most of my armor is acceptable but that I do need to make some adjustments. So I have added several projects to my list, both to update my kit and also add some elements of fashion that I had frankly never bothered with.

For example: Back in the day, a shield had to have an edge wide enough to prevent them from being inserted into the bars of a helmet. That is now a thing of the past, a shield edge now needs only to protect your opponents sword from undo damage and to do the same for your shield. I knew that but still built massive shield edges out of habit and because that was the material that I had at hand. So the last couple events I felt like I was wearing the big hair and shoulder pads of the eighties when compared to other equipment being used.

So to start with, in the last six weeks, I have reworked all my swords to be the minimum diameter and as light and fast as possible. The shield I had recently painted and rebuilt needed a smaller sleeker edge and that has now been done as well. I now have to paint this new edge to match the design on the shield.

Troubled Times (written Thursday July 12th)

Well I must apologize for not having posted recently. I should be posting more regularly again. Three main issues have kept me off the SCA list field and missing most of the local activities as well for the last six weeks.

First, my mother has been in and out of the hospital since last November. Her condition has become more troubling and she has not been home since mid May. We have had a couple scares and most of my family’s free time has been spent at the hospital. She has developed a long list of stomach and intestinal issues that have no apparent cause or solution. She is having an exploratory surgery today with the hope that something can be discovered to explain her condition. We are all keeping our fingers crossed. Otherwise the Doctors seem to have run out of ideas and are advising some kind of managed care or visiting nurse and to hope for a recovery. In fact this is being written while waiting at the hospital.

In June my wife went on sick leave, partly as a result of all this stress in dealing with my mom’s problems ( and also from living with me). So I have been trying to spend more time (when not at the hospital) helping my wife out around the house and generally being supportive. She seems to be doing better now and is almost good as new. This is at least one bright spot on the horizon.

Lastly my local SCA group is in the process of melting down. Since very early this year some long simmering problems have all simultaneously boiled to the surface to cause the local group to explode into yelling, screaming and finger pointing. I must admit that one individual seems to be involved or has been involved in every flap we have had for the last 2 years. He is also deeply involved in the present unpleasantness. In point of fact he is the central item being fought over. A dozen plus people have decided they have had enough of his trouble making (myself included). As near as I can figure another 6 people actively support the troublemaker ( I think many have not known him long enough) and another dozen or so are trying to stay neutral and out of the whole problem.
While normally I would be in the neutral group, I must confess In this case I had already concluded the best thing to do was ignore him. However after having two problems in dealing with kids, it was clear he had to go before he actually hurt someone. He has also alarmed several people with his temper and lack of control. His behavior seems to be the opposite of everything the SCA stands for. We are supposed to act with honor, chivalry and protect the weak.

So with all the problems outlined above there has not been much time or incentive to attend local functions. With things on the mend with my Wife and Mother, its time to help work out things with the local group.

In subsequent posts I will catch up with what has been done in the last 6 weeks SCA wise.
Skalla

Tuesday's at Terryl's

Tuesday nights fighting practice was well attended with over 22 people (if I remembered everyone). Some of the members worked on guild projects in the workshop while the fighters plied their trade in the driveway and yard.

We had 6 or more ( its hard to keep them all straight or count them ) young people taking part in boffer fighting while 7 members practiced their fencing skills.
Fencing consisted of Drogo, Diego, Andrew, Connor and myself. The fencing wrapped up as darkness drove us from the field. It was nice seeing Diego, Connor and Andrew again. We have two youth members who would like to take part in fencing as well for a total of 9. I will need to pull out the fencing equipment more often and develop a kit of my own. Its getting old just wearing the tripplett starter set with a tabard thrown over top. So my SCA to do list grows longer.

We had no heavy weapons training as none of the fighters in that form, brought their armor. I was not prepared myself as I have started re-working most of my kit and it’s taking longer than expected. I should be able to take the field again by next weekend.

Coronation of Dag and AnneMarie

Coronation was cool!!
The morning court when the transition was made to Dag and AnneMarie was quite moving.

The feast was different than most events in that it was held at noon. It started on time (or pretty close) and has to be one of the best feasts I have attended in the 20 plus years I have been in the SCA. The token for having paid for feast was an embroidered napkin with the initials of Dag and AnnMarie. The entire feast was good but the most notable dishes (in my opinion) were the Song Birds Farced, Pan Fried Broadbeans and Lucanian Sausages.
The Song Birds Farced looked like Chicken Nuggets in various bird shapes. They were served on skewers that had been placed on a cabbage half. This gave them the appearance of flight. In addition other skewers had small banners displaying the coat of arms for the individuals seated at the table and the groups they came from. Before the event was over, everyone who had the appropriate head gear, was wearing their arms or that of their group. (I would like to find out what program they used for doing this as I see the possibility to do this for one of our events for those on the list field.)
The Pan Fried Broadbeans and Lucanian Sausages were so good that I will need to track down the recipe used so that I can make them for home or local revels. Balian and I had an impromptu contest to see who could eat the most sausages. While I was ahead early in the match he bested me by simply refusing to stop. Even so the food was so plentiful that we ended up sending four sausages back to the kitchen. I shed a small tear that I was not able to finish them off but it was not for lack of trying.

Combat operations took place in fencing and heavy weapons after the feast wrapped up. I had decided not to fight before attending as I was suffering from a sinus infection which made me slightly light headed but I do not believe I would have been able to fight after such a grand feast. I will have to make a note to work on my sin of gluttony.
The heavy weapons fighting was outstanding. A Bear Pit Tourney was weighted to authenticity and courtesy and earned the victors the honor of entry into the Coronation Tourney. A grand stand had been constructed for a helms show to display the helmet, banner and shield with coat of arms for those taking part in the Coronation Tourney. (This or something similar is needed locally. It is just too cool not to have.)
The fencing took part in two areas. If I understood correctly those gentles with a Bronze Ring took part in the tourney inside next to the heavy weapons fighters and those without that honor or those being newer to fencing took part in the tourney held outside. I believe the tourney outside was a Bear Pit as well.
Youth fighting took place similar to the fencing, both on a list inside and practice and authorizations outside.
We had two of our members become authorized and one additional member practice fencing. Drogo was authorized as a fencer and his son Ryan was authorized in youth boffer fighting. Robert ran out of time to try authorizing as he had to practice a couple times before he could make the attempt.

The second court was held a little after 5pm. While it was not as touching as the first it was full of pomp and ceremony. In addition Dag and AnneMarie pulled out a large hourglass and stated that it was their gift to us indicating that the court would not take more than one hour.
I ended up leaving after the second court so I missed the evening activities. I will have to try to stay longer at the next event so I can brush up on my dancing.

I think a total of 17 Stormvalers made an appearance at the Coronation of Dag and AnneMarie. In no particular order we had: Eron, Erevon, Gerard, Brianne, Katie, Balian, Melisande, Drogo, Kayla, Ryan, Dante, Desi, Thorgrim, Tharamore, his lady, Robert and myself. Eating feast was Balian, Melisande, Robert and myself. Fencing was Drogo with Robert getting in some practice. Boffer fighting was Ryan. I am not sure if any classes had been attended.

Tuesday Night Artisans Guild

I think we had about 15 people total attending the Guild last night. This week was working in clay and Lady Teryll supplied many pounds of the material. There was no class project, so each person worked on whatever struck their fancy. I saw some very nice items being created and will try to get pictures when completed. The projects will have to dry and then Teryll can fire them in the kiln. As she can only do a couple at a time it will take several weeks before they have all been finished. I was anti social last night as I did not join in on the clay making, instead I took the time to finish one of the shields I had promised as Ryan would like to use it in Boffer fighting at the Coronation Saturday. I figure that I am about 2 weeks behind on the projects I had promised people and needed to finish a couple of the 15 shields.

I was in a hurry and used zip ties to hold the edge on the shield. After looking at the completed shield, I should have laced it instead. I will end up doing this on the rest of them and will need to redo this one. Perhaps I can do it at next weeks practice or at a populous meeting.

Near the end of the evening the question came up about what should be done about continuing the Guild through the summer. Several regular attendees have conflicting schedules as other summer activities like baseball practice etc. have begun. No definite conclusion was reached although it sounds like people are leaning towards a general suspension for most of the summer. Teryll is happy to have people come over to work on existing or begin new projects but she is not sure how well a structured meeting will work over the summer with busier schedules and a heavier SCA calendar. If I understand correctly the matter will be discussed again at the next Guild meeting and again at the next Business meeting to reach a conclusion.

Tuesday Guild Night

Well last night was a catch up night, with several people having projects to complete, it was decided to work in some days which had no specific task. I would allow different projects at various stages of completion to be worked on. I think we had 11 people all together, most of the kids worked on Mancala boards or bags to carry their boards in. If I understand correctly some of the bags and napkins had gotten painted before I arrived and they will be competed at a later date.
I cheated and instead of working on my box (which I still need to complete ) I took my gambeson and sewed on the buttons that had fallen off from combat. Using advice from Eron and Teryll, I used four strands (instead of the two used earlier) to ensure that buttons will stay on. The gambeson is so thick that I have to use a pair of pliers to pull the leather needle, that Teryll lent me, through the fabric. Last meeting I managed to only attach two buttons but I have now doubled my speed!!! I was able to get four buttons sewn on Tuesday night. I have four left to put back on and three that are still attached that will need additional thread to strengthen them.
I forgot the camera so no pictures this week. Sorry.

Tuesday Fighting Practice

Fighting this week
This week we had 5 youth fighters in attendance and one heavy weapons fighter. Teryll and I took the opportunity to pair them up and run a series of practices. We picked the youngest two and had one fight “down” to the age group of the younger member. Then the older of the two could fight the next fighter at their normal level etc. until everyone had a chance to fight. After the combat was over Teryll and I gathered everyone together and discussed some of the reasons and rules for fighting. Things like how to behave and show respect for your opponent. When to stop and let them recover a dropped weapon and topics like that. We have enough youth fighters that we even covered some of the ideas and concepts in melee fighting.
As long as we will continue to have this many young fighters, I will need to brush up on the youth rules and become an authorized youth marshal. One more item to add to my list of things to pick up!!!

Last Tuesdays A&S Guild

Guild meeting last week!!
Well I am still behind but starting to catch up on my posting and my projects. Last week, at the A&S guild, Lady Teryll had a class on making Ukrainian eggs. This is a process were the egg is colored and layered with wax in several cycles. When you are done you can have a very detailed and intricately colored Easter Egg. Terryl has produced kits with instructions that can be purchased for anyone who would like to learn this technique but was unable to attend the Guild night. All in all I believe we had 11 gentles attending this meeting and creating egg art. I will try to get some pictures of finished eggs to post.

Shield's Done!!!

Well as I try to update and improve my armor “kit” I find myself finishing projects started long ago. Here is my Coat of Arms (registered) finally painted on my shield. Now I only need to finish my Banner and start a couple tabards.

Ide's of March Event held by Iron Oak

Well I really enjoyed the Iron Oak event. It was the first tourney style event that I had attended in 2 years, other than Stormvale’s events. I have been to peaceful events and melee/war events but no tourneys since another Iron Oak event Toy’s for Tot’s.
The event had 11 fighters in total and was run as a Bear Pit style tourney, with wounds retained between bouts. In a Bear Pit you continue to fight until defeated and then you go to the back of the line and wait your turn to fight again. The winner was determined by points, you received one point for each bout you entered and one point for each win. The fighting started before noon and ended at 2:45. The winner of the tourney had 72 or 78 points, I could not hear well as it was being announced ( I ended up with 28 ). I think the most points I accumulated at one time was 7 points. That would be 3 wins in a row and then a loss. I believe by points I ended up 5th out of the 11 fighters.

I made it through most of the tourney but had run out of steam and sat out the last half hour. I had gotten to the point that I couldn’t block fast enough and had started falling prey to one-shots (One-shot is when your opponent is able to hit so fast or fake you out enough to hit you with his/her first blow.) While resting enough other fighters had also ran out of steam that Angus, the Baron of Northwoods called for the tourney to end in 20 minutes. I had taken off about half my armor and rather than suit up again, I let the time run out on the event. I used sword and shield for the first half of the tourney but as I tired I switched to using two swords (Florentine). Several other fighters changed weapons as the tourney progressed. Towards the end Angus changed to polearm and I was not able to kill him while he used that weapon. I had slowed enough that I was able to chase him around and even get in a couple wounds but not to kill.
Also attending the event from Stormvale was:
Ervon (fighting as well)
Eron
Laura’s Daughter
Bronwyn
Sylvia
Paul, Sylvia’s son'

Gavin of Blackwood
Desi

Dante

It felt a little like old home week, with many past Stormvalers in attendance including:
Kvelf-ulfr
Morgaine
Annanda the Fiery
Angus Lundy

I had thought about staying for feast but was tired enough that I just headed home at about 4:30pm and took a nap when I got home.
All in all a good event and I was happy that I was not so rusty that I embarrassed myself fighting.

Attending events in Canada

Over the years, I have attended many events in Canada and I have never had a problem crossing over the border for an event. I did once have a problem and was stopped and searched when going over to attend a fighting practice. I think the difference was, for events I have always been prepared (see my list below) and for the fighting practice it was a bit spur of the moment and I was not even sure where I was going. I only had a street name and the fact that I would notice SCA fighting equipment when I “got” there.

Try telling a border guard your only going to be in the country for a couple hours and not really sure where but will be driving around looking for friends. That is what got me searched. I was afraid they were going to start taking my car apart but they stopped at that point it was completely empty and let me go. It was pretty funny later….As I was pulling armor out of my duffle bag they would ask me what it was and what it was for. I ended up wearing about ¾ of my armor and giving them an SCA recruitment pitch. They must have thought I was harmless and told me to pack my car and have an enjoyable visit to Canada.

I have also traveled on business frequently and even worked in Canada for months at a time so here is my list! As a side note, unless the law changes, you will need a passport by sometime in 2008 to drive to Canada. Currently you need one only if flying to Canada.

Do’s and Don’ts for attending events in Canada:
Do:

Be courteous, they are only doing their job. If do have the misfortune of getting stopped, the more annoyed you act, could look like nervousness or hostility to them and will make them search harder.

Bring a Passport or Birth Certificate for each person. Drivers License is a must or even school ID with pictures for any minors in the car.

Print the event flyer and make sure you have good directions. If you are questioned about your activities it is a handy item to show them.

Any Fighting or Fencing equipment is “SPORTS” Equipment. It is not a weapon. When asked “Do you have any firearms or weapons?” I always answer truthfully, “No I do not. I do have some sporting equipment”.

When asked what is the nature of your business you should say something like “I am attending a Medieval Recreation event. It’s a hobby”.

All medication should be in the original prescription bottle. If so you should have no problems.

Don’ts:

TAKE ANY WEAPONS. No guns, swords, axes, daggers etc. Leave all your “normal” SCA weapons at home. I go as far as to leave my feast gear knives at home. They are large enough to cause questions to be asked if I get searched.

Take any minors that are not your own. On the off chance you get stopped its easier if all the kids are yours. Trying to prove who is or isn’t a citizen of the US can be tough enough but if they are not your kids, how do you know. Or at least that will be the argument the border guard may make.

Take drugs with you or drive a car that has had drugs transported in it. If a dog reacts to you or your car be prepared for them to strip it down to the nuts and bolts. They are also not responsible for reassembling your vehicle.

Take alcohol with you unless purchased at the duty free shop.

Take more tobacco products than you can use for the time you are in Canada. If your going for a day don’t take 10 cartons of cigarettes, for example.

Be rude about any of the process. Why give them a reason to pick you out to be searched.

I am not sure if I have left out anything important please let me know if I have.

Sunday's Revel

Sunday’s Revel was fun. Teryll had a houseful and the food was great as usual. Some people worked on finishing off Artisan Guild projects in Teryll’s workshop while others gamed or fought in her yard.

The fighting consisted of Toroshi our GMIT, Ervon, Balian and myself. I thought it was a good practice but I felt slow, or at least slower than normal. It was a little frustrating as I saw what I thought were openings but was not fast enough to be able to take advantage of them. I will need to spend some time working on the fundamentals and pell work to get my speed back up to something reasonable. I did manage to break two swords. One was the hilt of my siloflex sword. I think I carve the handle too small and it is prone to breaking and upon borrowing one of Balian’s swords promptly ripped the thrusting tip off.

We had to cut the fighting off a little early in order to eat and as I said before the food was great. I had made a couple cheese tarts (with no eggs for Teryll ) and during the revel I realized it was the first cheese tart I had made, in 25 years. I will have to get slightly more adventurous in making dishes to pass.

We had our normal meeting after everyone was finished eating. Several topics got discussed but I will defer to Teryll’s minutes for the meeting rather than my memory as I did not take notes. I did ask Gerard to call Balian forth just before the meeting broke off. I made a gift to Balian and his Lady Melisande of two banner poles that I had painted in their Livery colors. It was a gift from my household to his. I thought it would be a nice token of appreciation for the years of service to the local group.
On a side note, My daughter was tickled that she could teach Japanese Chess. She has made my drop her Viking name in favor of a Japanese one. So we will have to retire Kelsey Geirmundrsdottir. She also wants to have some Kimonos made for her. I fear that she has gone over to the dark side. What's a father to do?

Guild Update

Update on Box project from a couple weeks ago!!
Drogo and family have finished their boxes. They look great!!! I believe Teryll has also completed at least one possibly more! I have to confess that I have 2 cut out but not assembled and one assembled and sanded but not finished.
Way to go guys they really look nice!!

Tuesday night Guild meeting

Well, this week turn out was a little smaller than normal. A couple people couldn’t make it for one reason or another.

We had fun making our book covers and I learned that Teryll’s scissors are very sharp indeed. Note to self: keep finger away from sharp end of scissors.

Making the books the previous session was a little quicker than making the boxes for the books. It takes more time to get the ties made and the holes cut out than it did to cut and fold the paper. Even with that, most of the book covers are very close to completion and Lady Teryll has offered to have us complete them at the revel this Sunday, held at her home. Here are a couple of pictures of the covers in progress!!

Shield Progress!!!

Continuing to make progress last night, I cut out 20 ¼” plywood shield blanks. These will be put in a press and glued together to make 10 ½” thick shields. It takes one day to press each shield so it will be about 10-12 days until they are all pressed.
The shields cut out are for are sized for:
Ryan 1
15/16 year old 2
12/13 2
8/10 2
Russ(adult) 1
Robert(adult) 1
Loaner(adult) 1


Currently ¼” plywood is approx. $11 per 4’x8’ sheet. You can make 3 adult sized shields from one sheet and so each shield costs about $3.70 for the material. By the time you have added edging, straps, glue and a couple nuts and bolts, each finished shield costs from $7-10 or $10-15 depending on the edging used. For boffer shields you can use a very light edge ( just pipe insulation) but for heavy combat, it is necessary to put more layers or a better protective edge on shields and it’s reflected in the price.

I would like to handle the shields in one of two ways.

If you would like to purchase the shield it would be $8.50 for a boffer shield and $12.50 for a heavy weapons shield. That is for a completed shield and again will take up to 12 days to have them all done.

Otherwise, when finished, they are free for the use of the group and I would ask you to pass on the boffer shields to Teryll as they are outgrown. The heavy weapons shields can be given to Torashi or myself, as the fighter gets his/her own armor and shield.
For any of the loaner shields I will paint Stormvale’s badge on the front. If you purchase one you can have the fun of decorating it!!

Boffer shields should last forever, only needing to change the edging occasionally. A wooden heavy weapons shield on the other hand will not last forever. If you practice once a week it may only hold up for 6-10 months. In my experience wooden shields will last a bit longer since most of us have not practiced weekly but 18 to 20 months is a maximum if you are active.

I find it best to not glue the edging on but instead strap or lace it on, so that it can be taken off the broken shield and put on the new one pretty quickly.
Let me know who would like a shield or a loaner shield and I will start delivering them as soon as I can. Also let me know if I have missed anyone and need to make even more shields!!! I realized as I was typing this that I still have to make one for my son so I will be picking up more plywood anyway.